Looking for advice on fence design

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jrcollins

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#300877 10-Oct-2022 22:26

I'm planning to replace an existing fence on a concrete retaining wall with a horizontal slat fence using flanged aluminium posts and Kwila slats.

The basic design would be something like in the photo.

I would prefer not to use any type of prefabricated fence panels.

A complicating factor is the fence line includes a couple of obtuse angles.

I was thinking of using either timber batons or lengths of aluminium angle screwed to the posts. The slats would then be screwed/nailed to the timber or aluminium angle.

For the obtuse angles, depending on the choice of timber or aluminium, I could either rip the timber batons at an angle or else have the aluminium shaped to the required angle.

Just not sure about the details so I was hoping someone might have done something similar and could offer some advice.

mattwnz

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#2980431 10-Oct-2022 23:08

The posts and framing are the key. Also timber (especially when horizonal) can warp. In NZ you generally use timber cantilever posts, so it has strength from falling over or being blown over. Not unless you are using a fencing system that has prebuilt aluminum members. Once the posts and framing up, installing slats is pretty simple.

rogercruse

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#2980433 10-Oct-2022 23:10

We had a 6 foot high fence installed surrounding our new property using this Fencing - Lamina

The trouble with most fences is ... who gets the "good side", you or the neighbour? With Laminata, both sides are the same.

We used the 'Classic' panels, but the 'SmartWall' is nice too.

Got the fencing work installed by a local company with also installed our deck and a shed.

mattwnz

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#2980437 11-Oct-2022 00:09

That looks quite good and very private with no board gaps, but quite pricey.

Double skinning it solves the problem of who gets the good and bad side of a normal fence. Also provides more privacy as you then can't see between the boards.

I have seen so many poorly built fences, and one of the common problems is the premature rotting at the bottom where there isn't enough ground clearance.

eracode

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#2980442 11-Oct-2022 02:25

rogercruse:

We had a 6 foot high fence installed surrounding our new property using this Fencing - Lamina

Really good-looking fence with several advantages - not the least of which is the T&G which will virtually eliminate warping (and which they don’t seem to mention as an advantage or feature).

Another advantage is that there appear be very few fixings - a good thing. Maybe a bit expensive - but you get what you pay for.

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rogercruse

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#2980449 11-Oct-2022 06:50

mattwnz:... one of the common problems is the premature rotting at the bottom where there isn't enough ground clearance. ...

My fencing solution wasn't the cheapest solution. It was completed two years ago and still looks brand new... unlike a neighbour's PVC fence installed about the same time. It looks like the owners must smoke 40 cigarettes a day as its yellowed so much.

'... and premature rotting ... resolved'

timmmay

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#2980450 11-Oct-2022 06:59

Lamina looks interesting. Comment on PVC, fencing is a weird use for it, but fences that yellow within two years suggests very poor quality PVC. Our oldest PVC window is over 10 years old and looks the same as the day it was installed.

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jrcollins

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#2980569 11-Oct-2022 11:47

mattwnz:

The posts and framing are the key. Also timber (especially when horizonal) can warp. In NZ you generally use timber cantilever posts, so it has strength from falling over or being blown over. Not unless you are using a fencing system that has prebuilt aluminum members. Once the posts and framing up, installing slats is pretty simple.

It's not a standard post and rail fence so the installation is not quite so straight forward.

mattwnz

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#2980653 11-Oct-2022 14:41

eracode:

rogercruse:

We had a 6 foot high fence installed surrounding our new property using this Fencing - Lamina

Really good-looking fence with several advantages - not the least of which is the T&G which will virtually eliminate warping (and which they don’t seem to mention as an advantage or feature).

Another advantage is that there appear be very few fixings - a good thing. Maybe a bit expensive - but you get what you pay for.

My only concern with tongue and groove is the possibility of rotting in the joint over time, as it is where moisture could accumulate. But guessing that would take many years. I understand it is why you don't us tongue and groove to clad a house when using vertical boards, but instead use shiplap boards. Maybe they have a capillary gap.

jrcollins

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#2980706 11-Oct-2022 15:11

This is probably a better example of what I'm trying to achieve:

The problem is how exactly to attach the slats to the posts. I want them to be butted up against the inside faces of the post and not attached directly to the posts.

mattwnz

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#2980714 11-Oct-2022 16:17

Guessing those would fit into a slot in the aluminum profile, and there would be a packer to provide the gap. Guessing they are a proprietary aluminum fence post system Guessing those columns do extend quite a way into the ground so they work like a cantilevered beam, but at 90 degrees, in order to resist lateral loads.

The posts you are looking for are possibly something like this https://www.charlesandivy.co.uk/products/aspen-slatted-fence-inc-aluminium-posts which you can insert your own boards into the slots. Not aware of NZ providers.

mattwnz

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#2980715 11-Oct-2022 16:25

rogercruse:

... unlike a neighbour's PVC fence installed about the same time. It looks like the owners must smoke 40 cigarettes a day as its yellowed so much.

That is interesting, I have seen a lot of white PVC fences installed in the last year around my area, as they seem to be an easy quick option. So hope they don't go yellow. Marley gutters don't yellow, so I wouldn't expect good quality PVC that is UV treated to yellow.

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jrcollins

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#2980718 11-Oct-2022 16:49

mattwnz:

Guessing those would fit into a slot in the aluminum profile, and there would be a packer to provide the gap. Guessing they are a proprietary aluminum fence post system Guessing those columns do extend quite a way into the ground so they work like a cantilevered beam, but at 90 degrees, in order to resist lateral loads.

The posts you are looking for are possibly something like this https://www.charlesandivy.co.uk/products/aspen-slatted-fence-inc-aluminium-posts which you can insert your own boards into the slots. Not aware of NZ providers.

There are a few similar systems available in NZ but as I said in my original post, I would prefer not to use them. Besides being a more expensive option, they don't offer a solution for the obtuse angles except to use two posts.

blackjack17

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#2980721 11-Oct-2022 17:45

If you don't care about what the other side looks like could you not use standard bunnings pool fence posts. Tek screw a wooden support/box steel tube into it that is recessed to allow the Kwila slats to fit where you want them. Then screw the kwila into that?

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